About Wry

Some of the posts are for students, and others are written for host families. Feel free to post comments. Email me at WryExchange at gmail dot com. This blog isn't updated. I have retired from high school exchange volunteering, but some of the information may still be relevant.
Former About Wry: I try to help our world, one person at a time, as a volunteer for High School Foreign Exchange Students. I have depression, DID, and ADD. My thoughts are non-linear, my memory sucks, and I'm snarky.

Blog Stats

My phone was off, Husband fielded the first call from an unhappy hostparent, FT. FT left a message on my phone telling me to call IMMEDIATELY. I shook off the sleep, and called. He immediately started in on me. Let’s remember, I am a volunteer. I don’t work for him. FT used to be a volunteer, on the committee. These days, he is a counselor and host father. We’ve known him for years.

He complained ab0ut his exchange son a few weeks ago. He didn’t want FES’s parents or counselor back in FESland notified. Husband was just supposed to have a Come to Jesus meeting with the kid. Typical stuff, too much time on the computer, on the couch, with the girlfriend, and sleeping. Not enough time spent with the family. Problem with one teacher. We told FT to get the kid out of the one class, sit him down, go over your family’s expectations, and have him sign a contract.

Back to yesterday, I call FT, and can’t say much for the first several minutes. He went on about not getting calls returned. I apologized, said I had my phone off, and was sick. Still yapping. Said the kid was going to be there in an hour, ‘What should I tell him?’ “I don’t want to see him.” “I want him out of here now.” “I could stay with friends, HE doesn’t have friends.” “I want him gone.” “I don’t want to see another exchange student.” “I want him out of my home, my school, my area.” “WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?”

I have to call the school to see what they think of the kid’s attidude, behavior, and grades. I need to contact the Inbound student chair and set up a meeting with us, family, and FES. FT didn’t like that. He told me everything I needed to know. Now WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

What happened? FES doesn’t get along with one teacher. She’s been sending the kid to the library during her class with an assignment. He disrupts the class. Not in a bad way, but in a bored way. He had a substitute teacher who let him stay in class on Friday; he acted up. Teacher came back, read note, called hostdad. (wouldn’t the principal or guidance office call the counselor or family?) Kid had to wait until principal agreed to dropping the class. He was given permission yesterday.

“WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? I want him sent home.” I said let me make some phone calls, and I will call you in an hour. Called the kid, ask him what’s going on, told him to find a place to stay tonight and for a few days with friends. Tell him there’s a good chance he’s going home. Call Inbound student coordinator, no answer. Call my counterpart in FESlandia, leave a message. IM someone in FESlandia, tells my counterpart to call me immediately. I call back within the hour, tell him what I’ve learned. He’s pushing hard “WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?” I say “I’m not coming to get him. I’m sick and dizzy. I only called back to tell you what I’ve done in an hour, and will keep you informed. You know me, and know I will take care of the situation.”

He calls about an hour later “I do not appreciate you talking to the kid before I was able to speak to him.” WTF He pushed hard for me to do ‘something.’ He said he’d talk to me later when his blood pressure went down. He was nasty, and I couldn’t say more than ‘huh, uh-huh, bye’ He was so demanding that I lost it and started crying really hard, so hard I dry heaved.

Kid texted me last night; he can stay in the house. Called the school today. In the other classes, good grades, good attitude, makes effort, and completes assignments.

Husband told me to give him the phone if FT calls back. I understand venting, but demanding to ship a kid home immediately without a meeting or confirmation? NO.